New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-10

and why did they convict him wrongfully and
what In the name Of Mesmer hes it to do with me p
"Mesmer"
No sooner had he said this word than his mind
began to be family illumined. He thought again.
and having thought awhile he remembered some
what.
John MGbbon erstwhile professor, was the
Dame of the famous mesmerist who, during q
little summer Of renOwn, had startled the town by
his performances. He had once, at an evening
party in Belgravia mesmerized Alan himself.
with uncquivocal success. He recalled the pro-
fessors words on that occasion. Il believe that
could do anything l pleased with you,
the professor had said; and certainly
he had done strange things with him that evening.
He had on the same occasion me smerized the Home
Secretary, and made him declare that his watch
was baked potato, much to the annoyance OF
the Prime Minister, who was Of the company.
Still cogitating, Alan next bethOught him how
the meteoIic career of the professor had been
mfserably cut short and blighted by a certain
sensational trial at Old Bailey, in which the pro-
fessor himself had occupied position in the dock.
The jury returned verdict Of guilty without
quitting the box, and the judge passed heavy
sentence, as the public said that mesmerism
should be put down.
FitzGibbon was an assiduous youth when his
interest was aroused, and he set to work to
find and read the reports Of the trial, together
with the comments Of the newspapers upon it,.
When he had finished his study Of the case, lie
could not but eg'ee with the writer OF leading
article in morning journal who expressed his
opinion that the verdict against McGlbbon had
been obtained less urOn the evidence offered TO
the Court than upon the speech of the prosecuting
counsel, who made himself painfully jocular at the
expense Of the occult arts and their opponents.
What was to be done nowp
Waiting upon the Home Secretary the same
morning in the ordinary course of his duties, ne
found that trusty and well-bcloved servant Of the
Queen in a distraught and nervous condition
The Home Secretary complained that he had been
plagued during two ni;hts by dreams about q
person called John McGibbon, who said that he
had been wrongfuly imprisoned, and must be
released at once.
The private secretary turned pale and replied
This is very remarkable sir for l also have
been troubled with visions about the same man.
Then said the Home Secretary, in evident
uneasincss, "this must be the person calling him.
selr professor who played such impcrt inent
tricks with me at Lady F-'s one night making
me- as | was afterward told, declare to very
distinguished company that my watch was a
baked potato
ut must be he SIR replied Fitzgbbon, "ano
no did very extraordinary things with me the
same evening"
"What is he in prison for ?' inquired the Home
Secretary.
Alan told the story to his chief as he had read
it that morning, and emphasized the weak polnt'
he had discovered in the case for the prosecution
Il have it on my mind said the Home Secre'
tary. that unless this person is released from
prison he will do something singularly unpleasant
There is no doubt that he is Q man OF pre-
ternatural abilities, replied Alan
He is capable of bringing about change o.
Government" SAID the Home Secretary. nervously
drawing ghost his botting pad
lie might, indeed, effect our removal, Sir,
said the young man.
lie might bring revolution Of some sort,
said the Home Secretary.
Il believe hecould do anything he pleased
said Fitzgibbon.
Tho Homo Secretary without further word.
took sheet Of paper, and began To write Letter
in tremulous hasty way
What you doing sir?' Fitzgibbon VEN
tured TO inquire.
Il cannot help it, Fitzgbbon.' answered hi
chief very nervolIsly, and writing as hard ht
could. Something controls and lmpels me.
/ am not master Of myself. This man must be a
vehement and unmit igated villain, l know he
must and yet 1 am moved to write that, having
fully inquired into the circumstances of his trial
and conviction il has been borne in upon my
mind that he is the victim OF q desperate anc
dastardly conspiracy 1here-don't interrupt NE
1 feel sure that they were all in league against
him. The judge was his enemy, The jury packed,
the counsel WIS q mere scoundreL Oh, TO think
that justice should be SO perverted in a country
Ike ours But he shall be rel leased though 1
lose oflilc for it,
AMI the Home Secretary "a phlcgmatic and
sccptcal man ut most times. who now wore the
air of person suddenly and completely possessed,
finished his letter with an effort, and addressed
the envelope TO The Governor of II. NJ Prison
ut -
Alan, he said then, with forced POPULARITY,
IL am going TO give you an afternoon in the
county These foolish events have upset you
YOU want a breath OF fresh air, my boy. Take
this letter and travel down by the afternoon
express and give it into the Governors own
hands" Ills manner changed and he added
sadly "lhiS IS most dcplorabe business, but
feel that | shall not rest ill 1t is settled Let
me see you the moment you RETURN"
That afternoon, rs he sat III the prison work
shop diligently stitching wastcoats, strange
calm sole over the spirit of prisoner Number
222, and in the same moment he knew that his
Will had triumqhed, and that his hour Of release
ut hand.
Late that night Alan arrived at the prison
and demanded 70 see the Governor on bushes,
OF the Home Secretary. lie was shown at once
into the Governors presence, and gave him the
letter that he lore.
The Governor read it and looked surprised,
but said that lie not sorry.
Ihe next day Number 222 was free man
-tlhc Coinhill.